Have you ever read a murder mystery book where the main character ends up solving the case and then they write an epilogue at the end that explains all the little details about the case? If so, then you know exactly what I am talking about because that is literally the type of book that I have dedicated my entire life to reading. The reason why I have found comfort in these types of books is that as a reader, I feel that I can understand the characters. However, sometimes it is difficult to determine who the good guys are and who the bad guys are because you never really know what kind of character someone is going to turn out to be. For this reason, I have compiled a list of the 8 types of murder mystery books that you should read if you are an avid reader or maybe even if you are just a beginner. Let’s get started.
The Classic
This is the type of murder mystery book that you have probably read a hundred times. It features a series of strange events that occur in an old mansion. As the story progresses, we discover that the mansions previous owners were a father and daughter who were very competitive with each other. The daughter, Scarlett, inherited the mansion after her parents’ death and she immediately set about trying to prove that she was better than her dad. She invited her favorite author, Quentin Tarantulin, to write a book about the mansion and they turned it into a film that we know today as The Silence of the Lambs. This movie is a definite must-see for fans of the classic murder mystery book. The book and the film follow a similar storyline. The main difference is in the characters. The characters in the book are a lot more quirky and fun to read about than the ones in the film. However, the film does a good job of keeping the essence of what made the book so special in the first place. The novel was written in 1939 and it was adapted into the film a few years later in 1942. This makes the book 71 years old, which I think is pretty incredible for a piece of literature to survive this long. If you are a fan of this type of book, then I would recommend getting either the first or second edition because they are both extremely rare. This way, you will be able to read the book as it was meant to be read. Unfortunately, there is no digital edition of this classic because the original paper edition would be lost to time if it were to be reproduced.
The Hardy Boys
The Hardy Boys are one of the most famous crime fighting brother sets in literature. Their adventure stories generally feature many weird and wonderful characters, convoluted mystery plots, and high schools that have more secrets than they should have. The stories are usually set in the 1920s and they feature a lot of boxing and solving mysteries. I would classify the stories into two categories: easy-to-read and fun-to-read. The first book, The Secret of the Old Mine, was published in 1924 and it introduced us to the Hardy Boys. It is considered to be the first official novel in the series. The stories are easy to follow and they are usually pretty funny, so it would be a good opportunity to read them to kids to encourage them to develop their critical thinking skills. This series is probably the one that I read the most. The latest book in the series, City Beneath the Sea, was released in 2019 and it is set to become a major motion picture. If you are a fan of this type of book, then I would recommend getting either the first or second edition because they are both extremely rare. This way, you will be able to read the book as it was meant to be read. Unfortunately, there is no digital edition of this classic because the original paper edition would be lost to time if it were to be reproduced.
The Spider And The Fly
If you have ever seen a spider movie, then you know exactly what this type of book is like. However, it is a little different than you would expect. The story follows an ordinary spider named Arachne, who one day realizes that she is better than the rest of the spiders because she can spin a web that is strong enough to catch a fly. She eventually uses this talent to help her become the queen of her colony. The story was first published in 1922 and it was later turned into a film with the same name in 1924. In the book, Arachne is a strong female character who fights for what she wants, which is usually a good thing. However, sometimes it is hard to determine what side the good guys are on because the main character is a very strong willed individual who fights for what she believes in. If you are a fan of this type of book, then I would recommend getting either the first or second edition because they are both extremely rare. This way, you will be able to read the book as it was meant to be read. Unfortunately, there is no digital edition of this classic because the original paper edition would be lost to time if it were to be reproduced.
The Thin Man
This type of book was first published in 1924 and it was created by fans of Sherlock Holmes. It was actually a campaign to get the author, Dashiell Hammett, to solve a real life mystery and he took it upon himself to do just that. In the story, a famous author named William Archer invites his old friend, the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, to help him prove that his new novel, The Thin Man, is the real deal. When Holmes investigates the case, he uncovers a conspiracy that involves a fake movie, a missing actor, and a retired detective. The stories are usually pretty funny, which is a definite plus. However, sometimes it is difficult to tell who the good guys are and who the bad guys are because it is never really clear what motivates them to commit the crimes. If you are a fan of this type of book, then I would recommend getting either the first or second edition because they are both extremely rare. This way, you will be able to read the book as it was meant to be read. Unfortunately, there is no digital edition of this classic because the original paper edition would be lost to time if it were to be reproduced.
The Big Sleep
This is one of the most popular mystery series among the modern readers. It was originally published in 1939 and the stories feature an art critic named Henry Wilkes, who is suspected of murdering his wife. The stories are fairly dark in nature, which is probably why they became so popular. During the investigation, the detectives discover that the wife was allegedly having an affair with Wilkes, which caused them to compete for her affection. It is eventually revealed that the wife’s death was not really a crime but rather an accident caused by the competitors. The books are full of gritty crime scenes, gruesome murders, and quirky characters. This series will definitely satisfy your need for the macabre. If you have not read this series yet, then you should get started because it is an easy way to learn more about the 1930s. Unfortunately, there is no digital edition of this classic because the original paper edition would be lost to time if it were to be reproduced. However, it is definitely worth tracking down a copy of these unforgettable stories.
The Lodger
This is another one of the most popular murder mystery series. It was published in 1979 and it tells the story of a young girl, Daisy, who moves into an isolated mansion with her friend, Jenny, after their parents die in a car accident. It starts out fairly typical, as they discover that the house is infested with creepy-crawlies. However, as the story progresses, they slowly discover that someone is trying to kill them. It is eventually revealed that the man who murdered their parents is still alive and one of the few things he wants is to prevent them from uncovering the truth about their parents’ death. This series is very unique in that it is one of the few that I have mentioned so far that does not feature a female protagonist. Therefore, it is really important that you read this series if you are a girl or a woman because it gives you an opportunity to learn about living in a house full of boys and how to protect yourself from a dangerous killer. If you are a man and you want to learn how to protect women and children, then this series is for you as well. Unfortunately, there is no digital edition of this classic because the original paper edition would be lost to time if it were to be reproduced. However, it is definitely worth tracking down a copy of these unforgettable stories.